Send me your questions, I'll ask the Division of Wildlife at its open house

By ART HOLDENDaily Record Outdoor EditorPublished: February 17, 2014 4:00AM

The Ohio Division of Wildlife annually holds a spring open house at locations across the state, where the public gets the opportunity to talk with DOW employees, ask questions, and comment on proposed wildlife regulations.

The open houses are staffed by law enforcement personnel, wildlife and fisheries biologists, and managers, all on hand to answer questions and listen to concerns and suggestions.

Routinely, the most talked about regulations concern deer proposals, but those who attend can also ask questions or voice their opinions on everything from trapping and fishing regulations, to squirrel and crow hunting.

This year, Daily Record-area readers can attend the Saturday, March 1 open house at the District Three office in Akron, at 912 Portages Lakes Drive.

However, if you can't make the open house, which runs from noon-3 p.m., once again I'll be your voice and will take your questions and concerns to the open house.

That's right, email me (or call evenings at 330-287-1650) your questions at aholden@the-daily-record.com and I'll ask the appropriate DOW employee and get you an answer. I'll publish those questions and answers in the March 3 publication of The Daily Record on the Outdoor Page.

Last week I covered the highlights of the new proposed deer regulations, including new restrictions on antlerless only permits for Wayne and Holmes county hunters, as well as a proposal to allow certain calibers of pistol cartridge rifles for deer hunting. You can find out more about this year's wildlife regulations by visiting the Division of Wildlife website.

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WHAT'S IT COMING TO? -- On a topic I never thought I'd write about, certain states are beginning to take steps to deal with activists using drones to harass hunters and fishermen.

That's right, drones -- those unmanned flying crafts that were originally designed to spy on people, but now have been adapted for all sorts of jobs.

Illinois already has a law aimed at drones, while bills to outlaw harassment of sportsmen with drones are currently being considered in Alabama and Tennessee. In Hawaii, a broader bill addressing unmanned aerial vehicles contains a prohibition against causing a nuisance with drones, and a New Jersey bill increases the penalties for harassing a person legally taking wildlife.

WINTER ACTIVITIES -- We've certainly had plenty of opportunities to ice fish this year, as well as do a little sled riding and bird watching. But two activities that may not be on your radar that conditions have been perfect for this winter are practicing your tracking skills and looking for antler sheds.

No time is it easier to get your children practice in tracking than now, be it following bird prints around a feeder, or rabbit and squirrel tracks in the snow.

And speaking of snow, don't pass up the opportunity now to spot deer sheds in areas frequented by bucks. They may be lying on top of the snow, and while you're out there, do a little winter turkey scouting.